Lee Bowyer has plenty of sympathy for Wigan Athletic manager Paul Cook, the Lancashire club’s players and supporters but the Charlton Athletic boss believes that they may not be the only ones hurtling towards off-field catastrophe.
While Charlton’s ownership situation remains complex, with investigations continuing over the previous consortium and questions relating to the current group, this week’s developments in Wigan have perhaps been the most scandalous yet.
Bowyer has been fire-fighting for most of this campaign, dealing with continued uncertainty off the pitch as he seeks to keep the South Londoners in the second tier and approaches Cook’s plight from a position of understanding.
Wigan, who face Brentford at Griffin Park this afternoon, have climbed to safety but now face a 12-point penalty for entering administration which almost certainly see them drop to League One.
“I feel for the manager and the players and fans because they haven't done anything wrong,” Bowyer said after Charlton lost 1-0 to neighbours Millwall last night.
“They've got them out of the relegation zone but will get a points deduction from what I understand and that's harsh on the manager.”
With that potential 12-point deduction in mind, how would Bowyer feel if Wigan being relegated on that basis kept his team in the second tier?
The Addicks sit three points above safety with an extra game played and must take on promotion-chasing Brentford in another London derby on Tuesday evening.
“I don't make the rules. Would it be harsh on Wigan? Of course it would but I don't make the rules,” Bowyer said before adding a warning.
“But it may not just be Wigan, other clubs are struggling as well. It might not just be Wigan in that situation."
